Laguna Coast Wilderness Park lies within some of the last remaining coastal canyons in Southern California. The park ecosystem is primarily Coastal Sage Scrub, with Maritime Chaparral, Oak Woodlands, Riparian habitats, and the ONLY natural lakes in Orange County. The park is also enrolled in the Natural Community Conservation Planning program designed to protect various endangered species (California Gnatcatcher, Cactus Wren, Orange-Throated Whiptail) by preserving large tracts of the rapidly diminishing coastal sage ecosystem.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park's 6,500 acres (property is owned by The City of Laguna Beach, The County of Orange, and the California Department of Fish & Game) are part of the South Coast Wilderness area, comprised of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, The City of Irvine Open Space and Irvine Ranch Land Reserve, and Laguna Coast (about 18,000 acres).

This area was originally part of the Rancho San Joaquin, granted to Jose Sepulveda in 1830. He was bought out by James Irvine and partners during the Great Drought of 1865. Operated for over 100 years as a working cattle ranch, it is in the process of becoming public parkland.

Laguna Coast is open to many forms of low-impact activities including; hiking, mountain bicycling, trail running, horse-back riding (bring your own shoes, bicycle, or horse). Many local artists, photographers and writers enjoy the park in their unique ways also.

Regularly scheduled guided tours (by foot, bicycle, or horse-back) are available. These tours are guided by volunteer naturalists and are a wonderful way to experience the park. Additional tours such as Sunset hikes, Full Moon hikes, etc. are irregularly scheduled or can be arranged for groups (not to exceed 20 people.)